HF/VHF Comms Streaming for S2H, M2D and M2H 2015 - Done For another Year

Guys,

This year we had an additional member on the team "VK7ZCR" (Hobart, TAS) who help provide for the first time streaming of VHF Ch 81. This allowed us to monitor and provide coverage of the yachts as they reported rounding Tasman Island, passing Iron Pots and after they had crossed finished line. We loved the feed and are very much grateful for the coverage.

I've tried to compile as many of the Skeds audio recordings from each stream as I could and have linked them into my earlier post Australia Ocean Racing S2H, M2D and M2H 2015 - HF Comm Monitoring which contains the list of scheduled Skeds.

Big thanks to both "VK3VIM" (Melbourne, VIC) and "VK7VKT" (Hobart, TAS), the audio / signals that thier streams provided were once again great and very much appreciated and I would consider the heart of our coverage. We were able to hear most if not all of the allocated #S2H skeds via these streams.

However we definitely still have gaps in our coverage during the race during the daytime hours 0800 - 1600. To remedy this we are always looking for new members (both Amateur Operators and SWL's) to join the team and help provide streaming coverage of the HF and if possible VHF coverage from their location. If you are located in near any of the following areas and would like to participate next year please contact me via email (ozidrifterATgmail.com)

• Sydney, NSW - We'd really appreciate help providing VHF coverage of the start of the Race. As well as overage of HF coverage for the duration of race.
• Nowra, NSW
• Bateman Bay, NSW
• Eden, NSW
• St Helens, Tas

Beside the above listed areas, if you have been monitoring the S2H yacht race yourselves and know from your location you recieve good signals for some or part of the race, please still contact me if you are interested in participating as the more the merrier.

Most of the fleet bar 1 (Myuan 3) has rounded Tasman Island and completed the race. They really got a battering on the first evening / night and ~30% fleet retired within the first 36 hrs.

Once again big thanks to Clayton "VK7ZCR, Tony "VK7VKT" and Grant "VK3VIM" for providing hardware (Radios, antenna, computer etc), resources (Broadband bandwidth, their time and effort to manage their streams) and I look forward to working and covering the S2H race next year with all you.

That's all Folks!!! Have a Happy New Year and all the best for 2016!!!!

Mark (AussieDrifter)

Australia Ocean Racing S2H, M2D and M2H 2015 - HF Comm Monitoring

G'day All,

This year we are please to announce that the team has grown to 4 and together we'll be providing 6 audio streams monitoring HF Communication audio from the 4 Yacht Races held between Sydney/Melbourne and Hobart. The main communications which occur during the races are the scheduled Yacht Position Reports (a.k.a Skeds). You can find details of the scheduled position reports and HF Frequencies used below. One the new streams we'll be providing this year will be the monitoring of Marine VHF Ch 81. As the yachts round Tasman Island you'll be able to hear the VHF traffic as they approach the finishing line and dock.

The Audio Streams will only be available during the Racing events, so the first to kick us off will be Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race starting (26-Dec-2014 1300 AEDT) followed by the Other 3 races starting (27-Dec-2014 1230 AEDT). As the Skeds finish I'll provide feedback on the signals each station / location received as well as link to audio if the quality if of good standard. So please bookmark this page / blog and keep and eye on the latest communications we may receive.

The streams are as follows:

Who	Location	Audio Links	Frequencies Covered (kHz)
AussieDrifter (Me)	Brisbane, QLD	Stream 1 - via ICOM R75 Web Player 1 Web Player 2 SHOUTCast Stream 2 - via SDR Web Player 1 Web Player 2 SHOUTCast Main Blog Site	Stream 1 - S2H 4483 and 6516 Stream 2 - M2H/M2D Skeds: 12305, 6218, 8210, 4483 Other: 12290, 6215, 8291, 4125
VK7ZCR	Hobart, TAS	Stream 3 - HF Web Player 1 Web Player 2 SHOUTCast	Stream 3 - S2H 4483 and 6516 until the Fleet nears Tasman Island stream will switch from HF to VHF 81.
VK7VKT	Hobart, TAS	Stream 4 - HF Web Player 1 Web Player 2 SHOUTCast	Stream 4 - S2H 4483 and 6516
VK3VIM	Melbourne, VIC	Stream 5 & 6 - HF Web Player 1 SHOUTCast Main Blog Site	Stream 5 - 4483 (Left Audio Channel) Stream 6 - 6516 (Right Audio Channel)

Race Sailing Instructions

• Sydney To Hobart (S2H)
• Melbourne to Devonport(M2D)
• Melbourne to Hobart
  • Eastcoaster (M2HEC) - Cancelled
  • Westcoaster (M2HWC)

Race Frequencies

Event	Time (AEDT)	Primary (kHz)	Secondary (kHz)
S2H	Day (0700-2000)	6516	4483
S2H	Night (2000-0700)	4483	6516
M2D & M2H	Day (0700-1800)	12305	8210
M2D & M2H	Night (1800-0700)	6218	4483

Note:
^1. M2D and M2H yachts needing to make contact with Kordia (Charleville Radio) between schedules should do so on the standard calling channels listed below. These frequencies are also distress frequencies. For longer communications, a switch to one of the race frequencies may be required once communications have been established.

Frequency Period

4125 Night
6215 Day or Night
8291 Day
12290 Day

Race Schedules (aka Skeds)

	Schedules (AEDT)
Event	Day	Night
S2H	0735, 12051, 1705	0005
M2D	0105, 0605	1205, 1805
M2HWC - Westcoaster	0135, 0635	1235, 1835
M2HEC - Eastcoaster	Cancelled This Year

Note
¹ - Listening schedules will be conducted on 6516 kHz at 1205 hrs each day from 27th December until 2nd January 2014 on 6516 kHz.

Recorded Race Skeds Comms

Below is the full list of expected skeds. As each sked completes I'll provide a review of RF signal and audio quality which was received at each location and if the audio is of reasonable quality I'll provide a link to the extracted audio for the sked.

Date	Time (AEDT)	Event	Frequency (khz)	Audio Recording Link	Description
26-Dec-2014	1130-1230	S2H	6516	All streams received weak to no copy of the Prerace checkins. Brisbane: Listen Here to Weak Signal of JBW and Cougar 2.	Prerace Sign on
26-Dec-2014	1905	S2H	6516	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 1 and Stream 2 Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7VKT and VK7ZCR Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
27-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 1 Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7VKT and VK7ZCR Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
27-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Brisbane - Poor Copy Hobart - Poor Copy Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
27-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - No Copy Melbourne - Very Weak Copy	Listening Sked
27-Dec-2014	1335-1435	M2D M2HWC M2HEC	12305	Brisbane - Poor to No Copy	Prerace - CheckinSked
27-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Fair Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne -Poor Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
27-Dec-2014	2005	M2D	12305	Brisbane - Fair Copy - Listen Stream 2 Melbourne - Fair Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
27-Dec-2014	2035	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane - Fair to Good Copy - Listen Stream 2 Melbourne - Fair to Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 1 Hobart - Excellent Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0105	M2D	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2 Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0135	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2 Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0605	M2D	6218	Brisbane - Wrong Frequency was on 6215 khz (slept in).	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0635	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane - Wrong Frequency was on 6215 khz (slept in).	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Brisbane - Weak to no Copy Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - First 10/15min weak, then becomes are fairly Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Weak Copy Melbourne - Fair copy	Listening Sked
28-Dec-2014	1205	M2D	12305	Brisbane - Weak Copy	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1235	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane - Weak Copy	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Poor Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Fair - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1805	M2D	12305	Brisbane - missed first 2 minutes - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1835	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 1 Hobart - Excellent Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0105	M2D	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0135	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0605	M2D	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 2 Note: Most yachts have completed. Charleville Radio tried to raise the remaining yacht on both 6518 and 4483 no success.	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0635	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream2	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Fair Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Fair Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Weak Copy	Listening Sked
29-Dec-2014	1235	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane - No Copy Melbourne - Fair Copy - Listen VK7VKT	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Started ok but faded to very poor to no copy Melbourne - Most poor copy, also suffered fade.	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1835	M2HWC	12305	Did not Monitor	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane - Good Copy - Listen Stream 1 Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7VKT Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0135	M2HWC	6218	Did not Monitor	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0635	M2HWC	6218	Did not Monitor	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Brisbane - No Copy Hobart - Started weak but become Fair Copy - Listen VK7VKT Hobart - Started Fair Copy but faded a end - Listen VK7ZCR Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
30-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Did not Monitor	Listening Sked
30-Dec-2014	1235	M2HWC	12305	Did not Monitor	Sked
30-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Brisbane - Did not Monitor Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7VKT Hobart - Good Copy - Listen VK7ZCR Melbourne - Good Copy - Listen VK3VIM	Sked
30-Dec-2014	1835	M2HWC	12305	Did not Monitor	Sked
31-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Note: Most of the fleet except for2 yachts have rounded Tasman Is last night @ ~2130 AEDT so the sked should be fairly short and sweet and considered to the the last we'll stream / monitor for 2015.. Sked started via HF - Listen VK7VKT Sked completed via VHF - Listen VK7ZCR	Sked
31-Dec-2014	0135	M2HWC	6218	Did not Monitor	Sked
31-Dec-2014	0635	M2HWC	6218	Did not Monitor	Sked
31-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Sked started via HF - Listen VK7VKT Sked completed via VHF - Listen VK7ZCR	Sked

Recorded Race Audio - NON-Sked Comms

Date	Time (AEDT)	Stream	Frequency (khz)	Audio Recording Link	Description
DD-MMM-YYYY	HHMMSS	Location	Frequency	Link to Audio	Description
DD-MMM-YYYY	HHMMSS	Location	Frequency	Link to Audio	Description
DD-MMM-YYYY	HHMMSS	Location	Frequency	Link to Audio	Description
DD-MMM-YYYY	HHMMSS	Location	Frequency	Link to Audio	Description

Twitter Feeds

You can monitor the following twitter for latest news regarding the events.

• @OceanRacingClub
• @rshyr
• #oceanracing
• #orcv
• #s2h
• #sydhob
• #rshyr

HF Comms Streaming for S2H, M2D and M2H 2014 - Done For another Year

Guys,

This year we had an additional new stream provided by "VK7VKT" (Hobart, TAS). While his signals were not strong at the start of the race, his reception of fleet got stronger as they reached near midway through until Hobart and it was finally great to hear it from the Hobart end of town.

As usually I was not able to offer much in support streaming audio for Sydney To Hobart during the day as the frequencies selected and times for the skeds meant I just was not able to copy them from Queensland. However I was able to stream 4483khz during the night and catch the 0005 #S2H Sked.

"VK3VIM" (Melbourne, VIC) Stream was once again brilliant even though he only streamed 6516khz. We were able to hear most if not all of the 0735, 1205 and 1705 AEDT #S2H skeds via this stream.

This year for Melbourne to Devonport / Hobart, the skeds were run again by "Charleville Radio" (Kordia) on more appropriate frequencies for daytime which I would at most times hear Kordia S9+ and the yachts albeit faint. At night they operated skeds on 6218khz and I was able to copy most of their skeds fine.

I've tried to compile as many of the Skeds audio recordings from each stream as I could and have linked them into my earlier post Australia Ocean Racing S2H, M2D and M2H 2014 - HF Comm Monitoring which contains the list of scheduled Skeds.

There was one very sad incident which the streams capture audio of (Melbourne: listen Hobart: listen ) and that was the Mayday call reporting the Photography Plane crash. See Sail-World news articles for further info:

• Mistraal Mayday report of the downed aircraft
• Sydney Hobart - Report of light plane crash while photographing fleet

Most of the fleet has arrived or nearly all arrived except for Southern Myth whose is near rounding Tasman Island, and Landfall well she's still a fair distance to go.


So even though I've closed the QLD Streams down, I'll monitor the race frequencies and skeds for these 2 vessels until they arrive.

Once again big thanks to Tony "VK7VKT" and Grant "VK3VIM" for providing hardware (Radios, antenna, computer etc), resources (Broadband bandwidth, their time and effort to manage their streams) and I hope to see you both next year.

That's all Folks!!! Have a Happy New Year

Mark (AussieDrifter)

Australia Ocean Racing S2H, M2D and M2H 2014 - HF Comm Monitoring

G'day All,

This year we have 4 audio streams monitoring and streaming HF Communication audio from 4 Yacht Races held between Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. The main communications which occur during the races are the scheduled Yacht Position Reports (Skeds).

The Audio Streams will only be available during the Racing events, so the first to kick us off will be Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race starting (26-Dec-2014 1300 AEDT) followed by the Other 3 races starting (27-Dec-2014 1230 AEDT).

The streams are as follows:

Who	Location	Audio Links	Frequencies Covered (kHz)
VK7VKT	Hobart, TAS	Stream 1 - Web Player Stream 1 - Web Player Alternative Stream 1 - SHOUTcast Stream	S2H 4483, 6516
VK3VIM	Melbourne, VIC	Stream 2 - Web Player	S2H 6516 kHz only (Voice MUTE enabled)
AussieDrifter (Me)	Brisbane, QLD	Stream 3 - Web Player Stream 3 - Web Player Alternative Stream 3 - Streaming Stream 4 - Web Player Stream 4 - Web Player Alternative Stream 4 - SHOUTcast Stream Main Blog Site	- Stream 3 - S2H 4483 and 6516 - Stream 4 - M2H/M2D 12305, 6218, 8210, 4483

Race Sailing Instructions

• Sydney To Hobart (S2H)
• Melbourne to Devonport(M2D)
• Melbourne to Hobart
  • Eastcoaster (M2HEC)
  • Westcoaster (M2HWC)

Race Frequencies

Event	Time (AEDT)	Primary (kHz)	Secondary (kHz)
S2H	Day (0700-1900)	6516	4483
S2H	Night (1900-0700)	4483	6516
M2D & M2H	Day (0700-1800)	12305	8210
M2D & M2H	Night (1800-0700)	6218	4483

Note:
^1. M2L and M2H yachts needing to make contact with Kordia (Charleville Radio) between schedules should do so on the standard calling channels listed below. These frequencies are also distress frequencies. For longer communications, a switch to one of the race frequencies may be required once communications have been established.

Frequency Period

4125 Night
6215 Day or Night
8291 Day
12290 Day

Race Schedules

	Schedules (AEDT)
Event	Day	Night
S2H	0735, 12051, 1705	0005
M2D	1135, 1635	0535, 2235
M2HWC - Westcoaster	1205, 1705	0605, 2305
M2HEC - Eastcoaster	1235, 1735	0635, 2335

Note
¹ - Listening schedules will be conducted on 6516 kHz at 1205 hrs each day from 27th December until 2nd January 2014 on 6516 kHz.

Recorded Race Skeds Comms

Date	Time (AEDT)	Event	Frequency (khz)	Audio Recording Link	Description
26-Dec-2014	1130-1230	S2H	6516	Brisbane: Fair copy for first 20 min then faded. Here a samples of some checkins	Prerace Sign on
26-Dec-2014	1905	S2H	4483	Brisbane/Hobart: On 4483 khz mostly no reception, towards the end of the sked a few yachts were just becoming audible. Brisbane/Hobart: On 6516 khz good reception while JBW called for yachts missed on 4483 khz. Melbourne: On 6516 khz good reception while JBW called for yachts missed on 4483 khz. Rolex Main Feed: good copy	Sked
27-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane: On 4483 khz fair reception at start, then faded towards the end of the sked Brisbane: On 6516 khz good reception while JBW called for yachts missed on 4483 khz. Melbourne: On 6516 khz good reception while JBW called for yachts missed on 4483 khz. Hobart: audio was overdriven, but JBW and fleet could be heard. Rolex Main Feed: good copy	Sked
27-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Brisbane: On 6516 khz poor reception, could hear JBW and fleet was low Melbourne: Great reception of sked on 6516 kHz - Listen Here. Hobart: On 6516 khz fair reception mostly heard JBW, yachts low, stream had a bit of noise. Listen Here. Rolex Main Feed: was not availabile	Sked
27-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here. Hobart: Poor copy, high noise level.	Listening Sked
27-Dec-2014	1105-1215	M2D M2HWC M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Prerace Sign on
27-Dec-2014	1635	M2D	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
27-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here. Hobart: Good copy - Listen here. After sked you can hear more yachts declaring that they are in vicinity of Green Cape.	Sked
27-Dec-2014	1705	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
27-Dec-2014	1735	M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
27-Dec-2014	2235	M2D	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
27-Dec-2014	2305	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
27-Dec-2014	2335	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane: Fair Copy - Listen Here Hobart: Fair Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0535	M2D	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here. Due to incorrect wakeup alarm and Windows OS forced reboot, I missed Bandit and 1st part of Caledonia position.	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0605	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0635	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1135	M2D	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1205	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here Hobart: Fair Copy - Listen Here	Listening Sked
28-Dec-2014	1235	M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1635	M2D	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy (Charleville Radio was loud as usual however yachts were faint) - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here Hobart: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1705	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy (Charleville Radio was loud as usual however yachts were faint) - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	1735	M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy (Charleville Radio was loud as usual however yachts were faint) - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	2235	M2D	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here - (Charleville Radio could not reach many yachts. Note - Most yachts had or were very close to having arrive at Devonport only a couple remained out and so no morning sked will most likely be needed).	Sked
28-Dec-2014	2305	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
28-Dec-2014	2335	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0605	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0635	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Listen Here Hobart: No copy - Only Hobart Race Control and 1 or 2 yachts heard. Brisbane: No copy - absolutely nothing heard.	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1205	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1205	S2H	6516	Melbourne: No Sked heard Hobart: Heard JBW providing yachts results but signal low in the noise.	Listening Sked
29-Dec-2014	1235	M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516	Melbourne: Good Copy - Sked run by Hobart Race Control (HRC) Listen Here Hobart: Good Copy - Sked run by Hobart Race Control (HRC) Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1705	M2HWC	12305	Brisbane: Receiver incorrect Frequency - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	1735	M2HEC	12305	Brisbane: Receiver incorrect Frequency - no recording	Sked
29-Dec-2014	2305	M2HWC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
29-Dec-2014	2335	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Good Copy - Listen Here	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0005	S2H	4483	Brisbane: Good Copy - Sked run by Hobart Race Control (HRC) Listen Here Hobart: Good Copy - Sked run by Hobart Race Control (HRC) Listen Here	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0605	M2HEC	6218	Brisbane: Weak Copy - Listen Here. Frequency noisy had to utilise audio filter to clean up signal.	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0635	M2HEC	6218	No Sked Heard - assume yachts have arrived.	Sked
30-Dec-2014	0735	S2H	6516		Sked
30-Dec-2014	1705	S2H	6516		Sked

Recorded Race - NON Sked Comms

Date	Time (AEDT)	Stream	Frequency (khz)	Audio Recording Link	Description
26-Dec-2014	1116	Hobart	6516	Download	Hobart Race Control at Pre Race Check in
26-Dec-2014	1405	Hobart	6516	Download	Hobart Race Control working JBW (not heard)
26-Dec-2014	1842	Brisbane Melbourne	6516	Brisbane Download Melbourne Download	Yacht Triton Retires.
27-Dec-2014	0839	Melbourne	6516	Download	Ragamuffin Green Cape Declaration
29-Dec-2014	1817	Melbourne Hobart	6516	Melbourne Download Hobart Download	Mistraal calls Mayday - Plane Crashed into Sea. For More details see Sail-World Reports: Mistraal Mayday report of the downed aircraft Sydney Hobart - Report of light plane crash while photographing fleet

Twitter Feeds

You can monitor the following twitter for latest news regarding the events.

• @OceanRacingClub
• @rshyr
• #oceanracing
• #orcv
• #s2h
• #sydhob
• #rshyr

Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race 2014 - Prerace HF Testing (Charleville.....)

G'day All,

As most of you know before each S2H race yachts must perform prerace HF radio checks outlined via Race Notice to Competitors 3. This was performed during Dec 14th - 20th 2014. The Radio checks were performed on 6516khz were the Yachts attempt to successfully reach Newcastle Marine. This occurs during daytime 8:00 til 19:00 AEDT which means I barely can hear the traffic here in Brisbane Queensland. I did record all traffic on 6516khz on Dec 14th to see if I could get anything, and I was able to hear some traffic but very faint towards end of the day.

However interestingly this year while monitoring the S2H Web Site race documentation I saw Notice to Competitors 4 requesting all yachts to perform radio checks with Charleville Radio via 6215 khz 24hr and from there they will be directed to then test 4483 and 6516 khz. This is to occur 24hrs between 19 Dec 2014 until 22 Dec 2014. I started monitoring the HF Comms since 1430 AEDT Dec 20th 2014 and around 1800 AEDT started getting some good signals.

While monitoring it was interesting to hear the frustration on Charleville's end with them encountering "severe interference" on 6516khz which has plagued me since I started covering / broadcasting the S2H Yacht Race HF Comms over the last 8 years. There is a Asian Shortwave station that broadcasts on 6518khz which is only 2khz up from the primary S2H Yacht Race Frequency and from about 1700 AEDT until 0630 AEDT the channel has significant interference which even the best notch filter etc can not remove. Yachts were not able to complete testing of the 6516 frequency with Charleville radio.

I've extracted a fair few Yacht PreRace HF Comms tests with Charleville Radio but only for 6215 khz which is good enough to let you hear them. Over the next few days I'll monitoring and extract any worth while sample and add them to the folder below:

MP3 Sample of HF Comms between Yachts Charleville Radio.

Let me know what you think via twitter @OziDrifter :)

HF Comms Streaming for S2H, M2L and M2H 2013 - Done For another Year

Guys,

I was not able to offer much in support streaming audio for Sydney To Hobart during the day as the frequencies selected and times for the skeds meant I just was not able to copy them from Queensland. However I was able to stream 4483khz during the night and catch the 0005 #S2H Sked but the signals were not the strongest for me.

"VK3VIM" (Victoria) Stream was once again brilliant and I was able to hear most if not all #S2H skeds via this stream. His stream even got international exposure via Radiopassoni.

This year for Melbourne to Launceston / Hobart the skeds were run by "Charleville Radio" (Kordia) on more appropriate frequencies for daytime which I would at most times hear Kordia S9+ and the yachts albeit faint. Albeit at night they operated skeds on 4483khz I was able to copy most of their skeds fine.

I've tried to compile as many of the Skeds as I could and have linked them into my earlier post which contains the list of scheduled Skeds.

Thats all Folks!!!  Have a Happy New Year

Mark (AussieDrifter)

SHOUTcast Hosting Services

Guys,

 I've just switched from "ListenToMyRadio (L2MR)" to "FastCast4U". L2MR have imposed now on their "free" account an Idle Time Out which means if I do not have active listeners after 90s or so the server will shut down. So I found FasyCast4u and they offer a cool free unlimited bandwidth 64kps service and their interface is fantastic. I'll update this post when I've got more time.

 For Now MERRRRRYYYYY XMASSSSS!!!! Everybody.

Cheers
Mark

Australia Ocean Racing S2H, M2L and M2H 2013

Its that time of the year again where during Christmas and New Year, I'll attempt to stream HF Communication audio from 4 Yacht Races held between Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart from my location here in Sunny Brisbane, Queensland. The main communications which occur during the races are the scheduled Yacht Position Reports (Sked).

The Audio Streams will only be available during the Racing events, so the first to kick us off will be Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race starting (26-Dec-2013).

Besides my own stream, there are usually a couple of other enthusiasts that also stream similar content:

Who	Location	Audio Links
AussieDrifter (Me)	Brisbane, Qld	Main Radio / Streaming Station Main Blog Site
Australia Ocean Racing Communication 2013 (VK3VIM)	Melbourne, Victoria	http://www.vk3vim.net/

Race Sailing Instructions

• Sydney To Hobart (S2H)
• Melbourne to Launceston (M2L)
• Melbourne to Hobart (M2H)
  • Eastcoaster
  • Westcoaster

Race Frequencies

Event	Time (AEDT)	Primary (kHz)	Secondary (kHz)
S2H	Day (0700-1900)	6516	4483
S2H	Night (1900-0700)	4483	6516
M2L & M2H	Day (0700-1800)	12305	8210
M2L & M2H	Night (1800-0700)	6218	4483

Note:
^1. M2L and M2H yachts needing to make contact with Kordia (Charleville Radio) between schedules should do so on the standard calling channels listed below. These frequencies are also distress frequencies. For longer communications, a switch to one of the race frequencies may be required once communications have been established.

Frequency Period

4125 Night
6215 Day or Night
8291 Day
12290 Day

Race Schedules

	Schedules (AEDT)
Event	Day	Night
S2H	0735, 12051, 1705	0005
M2L	1135, 1635	0535, 2235
M2H Westcoaster	1205, 1705	0605, 2305
M2H Eastcoaster	1235, 1735	0635, 2335

Note
¹ - Listening schedules will be conducted on 6516 kHz at 1205 hrs each day from 27th December until 2nd January 2014 on 6516 kHz.

Recorded Race Skeds

Date	Time (AEDT)	Event	Frequency (khz)	Audio Recording Link	Description
26-Dec-2013	1130-1230	S2H	6516	Poor to Fair copy. Here a samples of some checkins, JBW was heard most of the time.	Prerace Sign on
26-Dec-2013	1905	S2H	4483	Fair copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	0005	S2H	4483	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	0735	S2H	6515	Poor copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio. VK3VIM audio feed was great.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	1205	S2H	6515	Nothing Heard VK3VIM audio feed was great.	Listening Sked
27-Dec-2013	1335-1445	M2L	12305	Good copy of Prerace Checkin. Here is link to Audio.	Prerace Sign on
27-Dec-2013	1335-1445	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	See Above	Prerace Sign on
27-Dec-2013	1335-1445	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	See Above	Prerace Sign on
27-Dec-2013	1635	M2L	12305	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	1705	S2H	6515	Nothing Heard VK3VIM audio feed was good.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	1705	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	1735	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	Copied Yachts fine, Kordia dropped out. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	2235	M2L	6218	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	2305	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
27-Dec-2013	2335	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	0005	S2H	4483	Fair copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	0535	M2L	6218	Heard Kordia fine, but not yachts. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	0605	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	0635	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Heard Kordia fine, but not yachts. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	0735	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1135	M2L	12305	Heard Kordia fine, faint copy on yachts. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1205	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	Heard Kordia fine, faint copy on yachts. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1205	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Listening Sked
28-Dec-2013	1235	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	Heard Kordia fine, faint copy on yachts. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1635	M2L	12305	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1705	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1705	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	1735	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	2235	M2L	6218	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Held on 4483. Most yachts arrived. Except Ariel 2... Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	2305	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
28-Dec-2013	2335	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	0005	S2H	4483	Fair copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	0605	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	0635	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	0735	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	1205	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	1235	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Listening Sked
29-Dec-2013	1235	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	Heard Kordia fine, but yachts very faint. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	1705	S2H	6515	Freq No good at this time. Please goto VK3VIM audio feed.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	1705	Westcoaster (M2H)	12305	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	1735	Eastcoaster (M2H)	12305	Good copy of Sked. Held on 4483. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	2305	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Kordia struggled with HF conditions. Hobart Race Control helped Held on 4483 Here is link to Audio.	Sked
29-Dec-2013	2335	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Kordia struggled with HF conditions. Held on 4483 Here is link to Audio.	Sked
30-Dec-2013	0005	S2H	4483	Fair Copy of Sked Audio TBA	Sked
30-Dec-2013	0635	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Kordia struggled with HF conditions. Held on 4483,8294,8210khz. Heard two yachts on 8210khz. Here is link to Audio.	Sked
30-Dec-2013	1205	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Kordia Faint. Bad HF Conditions	Sked
30-Dec-2013	1235	Westcoaster (M2H)	6218	Kordia Faint. Bad HF Conditions	Sked
30-Dec-2013	1735	Eastcoaster (M2H)	6218	Good copy of Sked. Here is link to Audio.	Sked

Twitter Feeds

You can monitor the following twitter for latest news regarding the events.

• @OceanRacingClub
• @rshyr
• #oceanracing
• #orcv
• #s2h
• #sydhob
• #rshyr

Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race 2013 - Pre-Race Radio Check

Well The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race 2013 (S2H) is not to far away. One of my tasks before the race to make sure my station equipment and software are up and running, and also to see how "if" any new antenna I may have put up during the year is working for race frequencies.

So before the S2H race starts I make use of the opportunity of the "Pre-race Radio Checks". This is where any yacht competing must test / certify their HF equipment and to do this they must make contact with "Marine Rescue Newcastle" and be of a certain distance from Newcastle and record a satisfactory radio signal report.  These tests occur between 14-Dec-2013 and 22-Dec-2013 during 0800-1800 ADST and they attempt to test their HF Comms on both race frequencies 6516 khz and normally 4483 khz..

The only issue is with me being based up here in sunny Brisbane, these frequencies are not the best long distance ones for during the day and so it can be fairly frustrating. Never the less I'll continue to do what I started 7 years ago and that is attempt to broadcast the HF Comms of Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

My process during this phase is recording the audio from 6516 khz and then race through the days audio quickly looking for "voice" or other "interesting" activity. If any thing of interest then I yank the audio segment out and if needed put it through a little audio clean up and will post examples below as I find them.

If you have any comments you can reach me via twitter @OziDrifter

Sample Pre-Race Radio Check Recordings

2013-12-14 14:14 - Unknown

2013-12-15 15:31 - Duende
2013-12-15 16:16 - Deja Vu

2013-12-16 07:10 - TSA Management
2013-12-16 09:24 - Pretty Fly
2013-12-16 16:21 - Luna Sea

2013-12-17 10:13 - Mondo (possibly Dodo!)

2013-12-18 07:12 - Minerva
2013-12-18 07:23 - Wilparina
2013-12-18 07:33 - St Jude
2013-12-18 08:28 - Canute
2013-12-18 16:34 - Namadgi (Attempt 1)
2013-12-18 16:38 - Namadgi (Attempt 2)
2013-12-18 16:42 - Yacht Having Radio Issues
2013-12-18 16:47 - Nautical Circle
2013-12-18 16:59 - JBW

2013-12-20 16:44 - Ragamuffin 100

2013-12-21 08:35 - Beau Geste
2013-12-21 14:47 - Midnight Rambler
2013-12-21 16:19 - Titania of Cowes

All files available via My Public Dropbox Folder.

Sydney/Melbourne To Hobart Yacht Races 2012 Sound Snippets

The following are some sound snippets I've been able to gather while monitoring / reviewing the Sydney/Melbourne To Hobart Yacht Races from my location / setup:

1. M2H_201212272332_XLR8_BackInHeads.mp3
2. M2H_EC_201212272335_sked.mp3
3. M2H_EC_201212282335_sked.mp3
4. M2H_EC_201212292335_sked.mp3
5. M2H_WC_201212272305_sked.mp3
6. M2H_WC_201212282305_sked.mp3
7. M2H_WC_201212292305_sked.mp3
8. S2H_201230_0425_Duende_RoundingTasmanIsland.mp3
9. S2H_201230_0525_LunchTimeLegend_RoundingTasmanIsland.mp3
10. S2H_201212272351_Love&War_Declaration.mp3
11. S2H_201212280005_Sked.mp3
12. S2H_201212280040_Aurora_Declaration.mp3
13. S2H_201212280145_She_Declaration.mp3
14. S2H_201212290005_Sked.mp3
15. S2H_201212300005_Sked.mp3

While I was able to pickup some traffic over the last few days, I was a little late this year in setting up the station. VK3VIM from near Melbourne done a fantastic job "Australian Yacht Racing Radio Guide" Which included links to his live HF comms streams.

Regards Mark(OziDrifter)